Snow plow drivers shift to pothole patrol

Snow plow drivers shift to pothole patrol

CHAMPAIGN -- After a busy few days, city plow drivers are now moving onto the next phase of work.

CHAMPAIGN -- After a busy few days, city plow drivers are now moving onto the next phase of work. They're filling the gaps they've uncovered this week.

Workers return to their regular schedules Friday, but they still have plenty to do. The up-and-down temperatures have created new problems. The same guys who've been plowing roads will now fill potholes.

It costs the city about $20,000 to take care of every inch of snow that falls. It includes money for the chemicals to melt the snow as well as overtime for workers who shovel it away and their equipment.

Some drivers say they're happy to see the roads improve as the week goes on. City leaders say some of those drivers have helped find trouble spots on the roads.

Public works leaders say things have been going as smoothly as they can, even with those potholes which become all too common this time of year. Workers are able to fill them with a special machine as long as it's not too cold, and even if the snow is still falling.

Some streets downtown will be closed this weekend from 2 - 6 am, both Saturday and Sunday. Workers will scoop up the snow and take it away so drivers will have more space to park and it will be safer to walk.